Holding means for ice-cream cans and cartons



Patented Aug. 3, 1948 HOLDING MEANS FOR ICE-ORE AM CAN SAND CARTONS John P. Williams, Nashville, Tenn.

Application July 19, 1945, Serial No. 605,972

This invention relates to ice cream cabinet accessories and appliances and has more specific reference to means for holding and clamping in place conventional cartons and cans, such as are.

used in delivering and dispensing ice cream at soda fountains and in similar places of business.

More specifically,- the invention pertains to novel means to embrace the can or carton, said means being characterized by a part for coaction with the base of the carton, and an upstanding part which coacts with the upper, open end or mouth of said carton. I

More specifically, and generically speaking, the invention is characterized by an adjustable clamp to embrace and hold the base of the carton, and an upright connected to and rising from said clamp, said upright being provided, at its upper end, with an adjustable wedge conveniently shaped to facilitate attachment thereto of the carton. 1'

In carrying out the principles of the invention, I have produced a simple, strong, durable and readily insertable and removable carton and can holderwhich lends itself admirably well in achieving the ends sought.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an ice cream refrigerating, or equivalent,

cabinet, showing a carton or can in the usual chamber therefor, and also showing the improved can holder, this as constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the parts of the can-clamping means.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section through the lower or base portion of the holder.

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 1 showing the type of holder used when square cans and cartons are employed.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable base-embracing and clamping means.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the adjustable detent or wedge.

It is evident, having scanned the drawings, that two embodiments of the invention are shown. That is to say, the form of can-holding means cooperable with the cylindrical can or carton is shown in Figures 1 to 3; whereas the type employed in connection with rectangular cans and 3 Claims. (01. 248-361) cartons is shown in Figures 4 and 5. It is to b noted, however, that there are certain common and generic. characteristics embodied in both styles or types, and the description and claims are worded accordingly.

Attention is first directed toFigures 1 to 3,

inclusive. Here the cabinet is denoted by the,

numeral A, the carton or can is indicated at B, the receptacle, or chamber is denoted at C, and the lid is at D. Whereas I have referred to both cartons and cans,it is believed that the expression container? is broad enoughto cover both,

regardless ofshape, material'and size, and the description will proceed accordingly.

, The means which surrounds the basal or bot tom portion ofthe container is an annular band, this denoted by the numeral 8 in Figure 3. The free ends of the band are overlapped one end carrying a bolt and nut 9 and the other end being slotted for coaction with the bolt. This pro-.

the lower end of the leg. Just above this foot the leg is bolted, as at [3, to said band 8. The body portion of the leg is provided with a slot H. The upper end of the leg is bifurcated, as indicated at [5, the furcations being denoted by the numerals [6.

In practice, the iurcations l6 extend above the top of the can to accommodate a bolt and nut I! which serves to assemble and adjustably hold in place the detent Hi. This is in the form of a wedge and is provided with a lateral extension I9 forming a, finger grip. It is easy to shove the wedge down, bind the parts together and lock the can B in the holder, that is, the frame 8 at the bottom and the leg ll associated therewith.

In connection with the modification shown in Figures 4 and 5, it is to be observed, of course, that so far as the leg is concerned, it is the same part as is identified by the numeral H in Figure 2. Consequently, the same reference numerals apply, inasmuch as like reference characters identify like parts throughout all views. The only difference here is the embracing means or clamp which serves to fit in square cabinets. This means is denoted by the numeral 20, as a. unit, and comprises a pair of companion, L- shaped members. The portions 2| and 22, constituting the so-called long limbs, are overlapped and slotted, the slots 23 being lined up to accommodate the assembling and adjusting bolt might mention, however, that this same structure; in Figure can also clamp and hold in place cylin- And, of course, cylindrical-cans can drical cans.

be placed in cabinets with square compartments? obviously. I might also stress the fact that ih the structure seen at the upper right in Figure 1,

the shank of the screw or boltvis: threaded" through a screw-threaded opening in the. wedge I 8. Thus, it is possible to adjust the wedge in relation to the leg H to fit cardboard cartons on the one'hand and no furtheradjustment isnecessary after that, as 'long'as the carton-s areused. Then, the same means can be adjusted to fit cans and so long as cans are used it is not necessary to constantly change or readjust-the wedge. In other words, this arrangement is easy to set for both metal cans and cardboard cartons.

It is thought that personsskilled in the "art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description 'in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrange- .ment of details coming wi-thin-the field of invention claimed may be resorted to inactual practice, if desired.

'I' claim:

1. 'In aharness-type holder for ice cream cans andy-cartons of the class described, ,a vertically elongated flat metal strap constituting a'leg, the lower end of said strapbeing :bent-at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the body portion to :provide a lateral foot for coaction with the 4 can or carton, as the case may be, the extreme upper end of said leg being bifurcated, a wedge adapted to occupy a position in alignment and approximate parallelism with the bifurcated end of the leg, a bolt and nut mounted on and carried by said wedge, said bolt being adjustably connected with said furcations, and adjustable can clamping means detachably fasten d to the lower portion of the leg in a position for coaction and association with said foot.

.2. The structure defined in claim 1, said can clamping means being in the form of an annular :clampingeband; said band being adapted to surmoundwthe lower portion of the associated can, .saiduband having its free ends overlapped and adjustably connected together, the intermediate portion; of themband being separably bolted to the exterior, Of the leg at a ,point just above the la-tei'al foot.

3. The structure specified in claim 1, said can clamping means comprising apairof L-shaped memberasaid member-s being-slotted and-adjustably connected together in overlapping relation, and a bolt and nut arrangment iorclamping-one of the L-sh-aped members 'to the leg just above the foot.

JOHN WILLIAMS.

REFERENGES: CITED:

The following references .are of record in the me of this patent:-

UNITED ESTATES :PAI-ENTS 

